Cleveland Browns franchise defensive end Myles Garrett’s indefinite suspension has been upheld while Pittsburgh Steelers star center Maurkice Pouncey’s ban has been reduced to two games, the NFL has announced.
The appeals officer didn’t buy Jussie Garrett’s racism Hail Mary. He upheld the six game suspension. Pouncey got a one game reduction.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 21, 2019
Garrett’s appeal was heard on Wednesday, less than one week after he assaulted Mason Rudolph in a Thursday night game by ripping of Rudolph’s helmet and slamming it on the head of the Pittsburgh quarterback. The decision to uphold Garrett’s ban was made by the league’s appeals officer, James Thrash. The decision means the defensive end will be suspended for the remainder of the season and cannot return to the league until being reinstated by the commissioner.
Part of Garrett’s argument during the appeal was that his decision to club Rudolph in the head was prompted by the quarterback’s usage of a racial slur, directed at Garrett prior to the game. While that doesn’t justify his actions, it could make the process a bit more interesting as the league will now likely investigate Rudolph after opting not to suspend him originally. Rudolph and his attorney have both denied the report of Garrett’s claims.
Pouncey, meanwhile, was initially handed a three-game ban and $35,096 fine for punching and kicking Garrett after he assaulted Rudolph. Appeals officer Derrick Brooks reduced the ban to two games and upheld the fine. Pouncey will miss Pittsburgh’s Week 12 game against Cincinnati this weekend and their Week 13 rematch with the Browns on Dec. 1 before returning in Week 14 for a clash with the Arizona Cardinals.
Today’s pair of decisions come just one day after the league chose to uphold the one-game suspension they issued to Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for shoving Rudolph in the back and to the ground. Furthermore, 10 additional players were fined for their role in the Thursday fracas.
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